Diana Xin

I'm glad I don't have to write in isolation—because of Hugo House.

Hugo House helped me find a supportive writing community, which feels like such a crucial part of developing a creative practice. After completing my MFA and moving to Seattle, my access to workshops, critiques, and simple conversation about writing all seemed very distant. Between balancing three different jobs and adjusting to a new city, I had limited time and resources for building new relationships. Readings at Hugo House and participation in the Made at Hugo House fellowship program all helped ground me back in community.

Through Hugo House’s programming, I’ve been able to attend lectures by writers I greatly admire, receive one-on-one guidance from artists-in-residence, and meet personal writing heroes in person. These encouraging and educational interactions have felt necessary to maintaining a creative practice. I’m glad I don’t have to write in isolation—because of Hugo House.

Hugo House events continue to be a great hub for meeting both local and visiting writers. I feel very lucky that Seattle has an organization like this that draws writers from across the country and allows us the space to celebrate literary work, support creative endeavors, and exchange personal stories as well as professional learnings. Being at Hugo House reminds me of the importance of community, and I’m grateful to be a part of this one.

DianaXin holds an MFA from the University of Montana. Her fiction has appeared in Gulf Coast, Narrative, Alaska Quarterly Review, and elsewhere. Most recently, she was named winner of Third Coast Magazine’s 2017 fiction contest. She is a contributing editor to Moss Lit and a 2015 recipient of the Made at Hugo House fellowship.